Northern Hemisphere

Rugby League

Canterbury of New Zealand announce long term extension of the Austin Blacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 17th, 2016

Canterbury of New Zealand announces a long term extension of the Austin Blacks Rugby partnership. This partnership furthers Canterbury’s goal of promoting and partnering with professional rugby clubs at the highest performance level of rugby played across the nation. “Canterbury’s aim is to help build communities and club participation and collectively drive the growth and exposure of rugby by partnering with top clubs in key regions” commented Robbie Flynn, General Manager of Canterbury North America.

The Austin Blacks Rugby have continued their success this season having recently clinched the Rugby Gold Cup Championship which included Premiership clubs from the Midwest and Red River regions who went head to head home and away.

“Canterbury have been a longtime sponsor and supporter of our club and assisted with our development to date. Canterbury oﬀers our club’s players, families and supporters the world’s best rugby gear and equipment as well as a professional rugby image which is identiﬁable globally. This has helped our club tremendously as we are striving to improve our overall club image as we continue to grow. We are excited to enter this partnership extension and continue the success already established together” commented Alan Sharpley, President of Austin Blacks Rugby.

Canterbury will exclusively supply the Austin Blacks Rugby on and oﬀ ﬁeld range of apparel and rugby equipment. The Austin Blacks Rugby will be wearing the new 247 Range products during the season which are new to the global market and include Canterbury’s new patented technologies.

About Austin Blacks Rugby

The Austin Rugby Club, founded in 1967, is one of the most prestigious and successful rugby clubs in the United States. Located in beautiful Austin Texas, the club owns and maintains over 30 acres in a secluded yet convenient East Austin location that includes three regulation pitches, a 1500 sq. ft. clubhouse, and two changing rooms. The facilities are available to rent as well for social gatherings, corporate outings, or sporting events.

The Austin Blacks have enjoyed a long history of success on the ﬁeld, but none greater than the achievements of the past 2 decades. Since 2000, the Austin Blacks have dominated the rugby landscape in Texas and the US. The Blacks have the distinction of ﬁnishing as National Championship Runner-Up on four separate occasions since 2000: 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2015. During that same period Austin had an impressive run of Division 1 Sweet 16 appearances (2000-2008, and 2010-2015), and were Division 1 Texas Champions 13 out of the last 15 years. Since 2010 when the

second side team became eligible for the National Playoffs, that team has ﬁnished top 8 nationally every season. In fact the Blacks have sent both teams to the Round of 16 playoﬀs simultaneously, multiple times in the last several years, a ﬁrst for any rugby club in the US.

The Blacks currently compete in USA Rugby Division 1, 2, and 3 with three full squads. Austin is always recruiting players and welcomes everyone young or old, experienced or novice, to come out and be a part of the winning tradition. The club has a level of rugby suited for everyone. Athletes from all walks of life including ex-football, basketball, wrestling and track stars have joined the club and have contributed to the team’s success almost instantaneously. Collegiate rugby players from across the country who want to continue to play rugby while living in one of the best cities for young people, often chose the play for Austin.

Rugby players from all across the globe also make their way to Austin to play for the Blacks. Numerous players from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Argentina, and many other countries, have at one point donned the black jersey in Austin. Many of them declare playing for the Blacks as one of their greatest rugby and life experiences.

From the New Zealand roots in 1904 to the global sporting stage, we make the ﬁnest rugby gear in the world. Tough, durable, smart, it's made for life. Canterbury utilizes their heritage and expertise within rugby to challenge sporting boundaries and realize the latest technological advancements for on-ﬁeld kit. Canterbury is an athletes’ brand dedicated to rugby around the globe and is proud to manufacture kit for several of the world’s high proﬁle teams including the British and Irish Lions, Japan, England, and Ireland. For more information about Canterbury please visit canterburyus.com or call 1.855.Go.Rugby.